Taylor: Gates Moves From Tight End To Center

At 6-feet, 182 pounds, Lavaca senior Vic Gates isn’t the most imposing offensive lineman in the 3A-4. Heck, he’s not the most imposing lineman on his football team.

At 6-feet, 182 pounds, Lavaca senior Vic Gates isn’t the most imposing offensive lineman in the 3A-4. Heck, he’s not the most imposing lineman on his football team.

But Gates insists he’s always been a lineman at heart.

So when Lavaca coach Mark Headley hinted that he might be willing to move his tight end to center, Gates didn’t flinch.

"Last year I played tight end, it just took a little bit out of me because I had to play receiver at the same time," Gates said. "The only difference is that my number changed. Every year I’ve played football, I’ve played on the line, so I’m used to playing on the line."

Headley tinkered with moving Gates to center back in the spring. He played center on the Golden Arrows’ ninth grade team. Even though he’ll mostly be matched up against bigger kids, that doesn’t mean he’ll be overmatched.

"The thing we liked about Vic is that even though he’s undersized, obviously, he’s got really good feet and he’s a strong kid for his size," Headley said. "He’s able to get to the linebackers when we need him to."

Gates is listed on the Golden Arrows’ depth chart at 175 pounds but is actually closer to 182.

"I don’t think (size) it’s going to be a problem for me," Gates said. "I run a 4.6 (40-yard dash), so my speed will make up for my weight."

There will be some differences between playing tight end and center. Gates, who caught five passes for 57 yards, including a touchdown last season, is responsible for getting quarterback Hayden Headley the ball — and keeping charging middle linebackers from blowing up the Golden Arrows’ offense.

"As a tight end, all I really needed to know were the formations," Gates said. "When you’re coming from tight end to center, you’re having to deal with middle linebackers and the defensive lineman. Last year, all I ever had to worry about was the defensive end or the occasional blitz outside."

Lavaca opens the 2014 season Sept. 4 against Union Christian. Headley said his new center will be up for the challenge.

"He’s taken the role and done a good job," Headley said. "The good thing is he had some experience down there; he wasn’t coming in blind."

Kevin Taylor is a Times Record sports writer. Email: ktaylor@swtimes.com. Twitter: @Kevin_TimesRec